X's and O's by Mike MacKay - Development of the Big Man - October 22, 2008

2008-10-21 16:11:55 The following are the clinic notes from a presentation by Ettore Messina, the coach of CSKA Moscow of the Euroleague. I have read some of his material, but never had the pleasure of seeing him in person. I know understand why he is successful. He is a teacher. What does this mean? -He effectively communicates complex ideas into simple concepts that can be grasped by all. -He is about developing the individual. -He recognizes that you need to address the whole player, not just the basketball side. -Learning takes time. There were numerous times during the clinic where I would slap my head and say; That is so simple, why did I not think of that before? You could see his team execute what he had taught the next night in the game. Ettore Messina Important as a coach that we put players in situation where they understand why they do certain things. If players do not understand, they will not work. Why do we come to coaching clinics? -We want to get grasp what is the coachs general ideas about coaching. -Pick up one or two ideas that we may be able to use. Do not copy everything that you see or hear. Learn to understand the way of the coach You may not like what the coach has to say, but try to understand way the coach does what he does. You need to build your own system. It is based on what the players can do. It is not the same as when I started 30 years ago. The more information you receive the harder it is to implement. More is not always better. The art of coaching is in picking the right information to use at the right time. You need to make the selection of what information to use. Today it is even harder because we are exposed to so much information. You cannot teach them everything. The key is to know what we must absolutely teach now. What comes next? What comes last? A good teacher knows where to start and where he wants to progress too in the end. What is your endpoint? You need to help players grow. They need to walk on their own. Define my system it I what I feel comfortable with in an organized way. It begins with an organized method of teaching. Start with the basics. The coach must create steps that lead somewhere. These steps cannot be too small and not challenge the athlete or too big to create

frustration. An appropriate step will assist the athlete in learning how to handle frustration. I want players to learn from mistakes. Are you willing to accept mistakes? As a coach, I must decide what levels of mistakes I am willing to accept from my players. The more complex the more mistakes. The coach must think these things through before he works with the athlete. Prepare yourself in order to prepare the athlete. When you teach there are a wide range of interpretations. Do you want it to be to keep it simple; or do you want the players be able to read and react. This is a long process. Limiting the options keeps it simple. You cannot see and react with large numbers of people when you are first learning. The player must read himself first. Then he can read his opponent. As the player grows, we allow more freedom. This requires self-discipline and aggressiveness in reaction to the read. This is what is required at a higher level of play. It also requires unselfishness. It is a simple game when we limit the options. Allow the players to interpret the game read and react. What the players sees is not always the same as the coach. Players improve -Mentally self-confidence, play simple and play under pressure -Physically faster stronger, jumps, balance -Technically move, execution of the shot, where and when to go There is an interaction between each element. For example; when executing a low post move on air with no defence the player may be fine in his execution. Add defence you now have created a problem. He needs to learn to absorb contact. Need to emphasize the physical and the technical. Example: If you improve fitness, the player now has more confidence. He is willing to try things he may not have done in the past. It is not just about technical repetitions. The coach must be like the great chef. You need to mix up the various ingredients The young player with size We want him to improve. We are talking about young kids. He needs to understand how he can become better. He has to do something important for the team. The shorter faster players dominate at younger ages. It takes longer for the young big player to develop. Eventually with patience, he will dominate the game. Many coaches will not put the young big player on the court because he may hurt the teams performance. For this reason, it is crucial that we find ways to assist the young big player in developing certain key skills. This growth in confidence to play sends a strong signal to his teammates who will also have confidence in his abilities. Note: He did promote that the young big man learn all the skills that the perimeter players learn. In order to play in the game we need to spend special time working on these special skills. If he can accomplish these skills he can now stay in the game and be a positive contributor to the team.

Scoring on the fast break The player needs to come to a jump stop so he does not travel. It is recommended that the player use a reverse jump stop. The footwork is outside inside. This allows the player to: -Gain control of his body. -Have his momentum go at the basket. -Cut off or KOB (Keep on the body) of the defender. -Protect the ball from the defender.

On the right side of the floor the player would land right foot-left foot. On the left side of the floor, it is the left foot then right foot. By landing on the outside foot first, the player can push off the outside foot and generate momentum to the basket. The player does not have to think about coordinating his feet, which so often leads to a travel. This is especially difficult when trying to coordinate feet when making a catch in traffic. When practicing the coach should pass the ball in different ways: -Regular pass -Bad pass high -Bad pass low -Bad pass behind

The player will train his feet to do the reverse jump stop automatically. He can now catch a bad pass. One that is thrown early and one that is thrown late. It is much easier for this player to catch a bounce pass, as it does not extend him. The coordination between the arms and the legs is crucial. The eyes need to watch the ball on the catch and then quickly find the target. If it looks awkward, the referees will call a travel. Reverse jump stop on finishing a cut When the offensive player cuts across the lane, he makes a misdirection to set up the defender. To finish the cut the player uses the same outside-inside step to cut off and seal the defender (KOB). The tendency is to finish the cut by running all the way to the block. It cannot be stressed enough the importance of planting the outside foot first. It now allows the player to generate power back into the defender. This is so important in maintaining balance and assisting the player in dealing with contact.

Offensive rebounding The same footwork is used when offensive rebounding. The player moves forward, plants the outside foot past the defender who is attempting to block out, and then knifes in front of the defender with the inside leg. Too many players plant the inside foot first. This means the second step is the outside foot. If contact occurs during this action, the natural momentum of the player is away from the basket. The player is knocked off balance. Note: I would also argue that this is the same footwork used by players when they curl around a screen.

In all of these situations the player, once he has the ball, wants to drop his inside shoulder and lean to the basket. The ball needs to be protected. Fakes are used to gather the body for the explosive move to the basket. Scoring off penetration Two players line up on either block. There feet are not parallel to the baseline. This would require a 180 pivot to score. The players are slightly turned in with heel closest to the basket planted ready to gather. The coach passes to the outside hand of one of the players. This player must catch the ball, pivot and score the ball. The other player comes to contest the shot. We are recreating game like situations. This build the confidence of the big player. Key points: -Jump in the air -No dribble -Do not be afraid of contact -Gather step when receiving the pass. The player uses the inside heel plant to convert his momentum to vertical power (this is the same footwork used by volleyball players and high jumpers). -Rip the ball to the inside shoulder. This will become the outside shoulder once the pivot is complete. It protects the ball from the defender and also aids in a quick pivot. -Drop the inside shoulder -Do not release the ball at the same time as the contact. Contact first then the shot release. If the player can dunk, have him do so.

How to absorb physical contact on an offensive rebound The offensive player tosses the ball off the backboard and catches his own rebound. As soon as his two feet hit the floor the defensive player pushes with his chest to force the player off balance. Note: It is crucial that you have taught your players to land properly on two feet. The defensive player crowds the rebounder, trying to get them to lean away from the basket. The players are responsible for each others safety. Players with poor core strength with often land off balance. The purpose of the drill is for the player to regain his balance before attempting to score.

When landing very often the players bodyline will be pointing away from the basket. In regaining balance the players is allowed to re-establish his cylinder. He is not throwing his elbows of pushing off; he is using his gather step and pivot to get his bodyline going to the basket. It cannot be emphasized enough the concept of getting your balance first before making a move. Balance must always be taught before quickness. Once the player learns to find his balance, he can start to move faster.

Teaching We have a tendency to go to fast. Three parts: -Explaining slow motion -Repetition repeat the move until the player can do the move without thinking -Now you can stress him give him goals -10 reps in 30 second -10 in a row, no misses -Add guided defence Another way of saying this is: -Slow motion learning -Normal speed repetition -Added speed - to stress Loading the drill In this version, the offensive player tosses the ball on an angle. He must now run across the lane and catch the rebound. The defender crowds him when his feet hit the ground. The player must regain his balance and direct his momentum back to the basket. When you fake, you are using this to gather your feet and regain your balance. The fake is a short fake that does not raise the centre of gravity of the player. If the player jumps on the fake, you can draw the foul by creating the contact.

Add a double team In this version of the drill, a second defender comes to double team the post player. He cannot come to double until the contact occurs.

Note: It is not only post players who will lose balance. The same situation occurs with perimeter player who receive a pass and get jammed by a defender. They must learn to gather step to regain balance.

Foul shooting It is important to teach the young big player how to be an effective foul shooter. It is recommended that you work on this before you develop a repertoire of back to the basket post moves. He may only get one post touch a year. He will shoot foul shots just because of the nature of his position. There is no pressure of time or defence when learning to shoot the foul shot. Set your feet, have a positive routine. If he learns to make one out of two he is now making a positive contribution to the team. Be on the line When posting players must learn that, it is not a spot, but a line. The basket the post player the passer forms the line. This holds true wherever you play.

If you are above or below the line, the defender has a great opportunity to defend the posted player.

Learning how to post The simplest way for a beginning post player to learn about the line is to have a perimeter player bring the ball to the line while the post stays still (he still has to seal). This helps the perimeter players understand angles.

The next way is to have the ball passed to the wing and then the post cut to the post up. Remember from our previous lesson he must use the reverse jump stop to finish the cut. If the ball and the player are moving at the same time, it increases the difficulty of having a good post on the line.

Complex posting When we add in actions before the post up it gets difficult to create the proper line. Here the post sets a ball screen and then rolls into the post looking for the relay pass from the wing. The

movement of all players means it is difficult to coordinate the timing and positioning. Coaches need to simplify the action for the young player. Too often, we see a play designed for senior players and expect the young player to be able to handle the timing and contact that occurs. We complicate the game for young players. If you want to build confidence, keep it simple.

How to seal a defender When executing the reverse jump stop at the end of the cut to post up the players often make the mistake of attacking the chest. When this occurs, the defender can easily circle around the offensive post player and establish good defensive position. The offensive player must attack the top foot. Use the power from your outside step to step over the top foot of the defender. Players must also learn to go through the arm with a rip or a swim action. Attack the elbow where the arm will bend. If done excessively it is a foul.

Ball on the block The first thing is to regain your balance after catching the ball. Very often, the player will receive a little push on the back. This gets there back heel off the floor and has their bodyline going away from the basket. If the player is using a dribble move, he must be sure to step first before the dribble. If the dribble comes first, the defensive player can often drive the player away from the basket. By stepping first, the player can use a strong gather step.

Post move progression The first move to teach the inside player is an attacking move directly on the catch, when he has the player sealed on the high side. If he is right handed, start him on the left block. When the player drops the foot to seal too often he also drops his upper torso. This gives the perimeter player no target. When the foot drops, the same shoulder must twist back in the opposite direction towards the ball. This allows the player to show a target. It also shortens the distance on the catch. Note: He would note teach these next moves until the player mastered the other areas. It was more important to be able to regain balance than to build up an elaborate repertoire of post moves on air.

Move number two Step dribble middle - jump hook Move number three Step dribble spin back lay up From the high post sweep x-over one dribble to score. (Use the reverse jump stop footwork). When you dribble in the key, the dribble needs to be started with two hands to protect the ball. It is not the same dribble that is used on the perimeter. Playing away from the ball on defence Too often, the young big player does not position himself properly on defence. He needs to play to his strength, which is size. He needs to show his perimeter defenders that he can help them. The help defender does not want to line up in the back of teammate. When this occurs, the

offensive player often sees a clear path to the goal.

When the perimeter player is forcing the ball baseline, the post defender aligns in the driveline for the offensive wing player. This discourages the drive, but also means it is easier to rotate to help as the player moves up the line.

If the perimeter player is forcing middle, the post defender appears in the driveline of the offensive player.

Contesting the shooting shoulder In order to stay in the game the young big player must use his fouls wisely. Teach the player to contest the shooting shoulder. When a perimeter player drives to the basket too often, the player contests the shoulder closest to the basket. In the example to the left, this would be the left shoulder. The problem is that the ball is being shot from the right.

The player must move a little further to get in the driveline and contest the right shoulder. This creates a tougher shot for the driving player. We are not worried about blocking shots and taking

charges yet. We just want the player to have confidence to be in the proper position. Take away the angle of the glass.

Strategies and tactics will only work for one or two games. Teams will adjust. When you improve your individual players, they will never forget. We all remember a coach you showed us something that had a major impact on our game. It was not a play; it was something that made an individual improvement in our game. When we build their confidence we allow them to play through mistakes. Improvement goes through the individual, not through the tactics and strategies.